Menopause - Why Am I So Irritable?

Menopause is described as a condition rather than a disease. It is frequently referred to as a "Woman's Issue." Few, if any woman would admit anticipating its onset, although most women are aware of its unavoidable arrival. Beginning between the ages of 40 and 55 years, (and even as early as the 30's for some women), the activity of the hormones estrogen and progesterone begin to decrease. This might occur slowly, in a natural expected sequence, or suddenly if the ovaries are surgically removed. As the body attempts to adjust to the fall in the hormonal levels, the menopausal woman begins to experience several emotional symptoms.

Irritability has been described as one of the most frequently occurring emotional symptoms of menopause. Several descriptions have been used to describe the symptom and with various degrees of severity. These include being short or bad-tempered, cross, or on edge; and being mildly, moderately or severely ill-tempered. Further, family and friends and affected women describe the behavior as becoming angry or upset for every-little-thing.

Women, who are mildly and moderately affected, described it as annoying. At this level, it is mostly obvious to themselves and some close family or friends. On the other hand, it is quite evident to everyone when women are severely affected. At this stage, the woman is so cross and quick tempered, that the symptoms are described as emotionally challenging and embarrassing; if not overwhelming and draining.

The short-tempered behavior occurs in the female during menopause due to a combination of occurrences. These include, but are not limited to (a) the biological effects of a lowered level of estrogen and progesterone which occur due to the ovaries receiving less stimulation from the growth hormones (b) surgical removal of the ovaries, mostly due to a disease. In either case, whether the loss occurred naturally or surgically, the emotional self feels the loss and will try to regulate itself to the change.

For example, as the woman's emotional-self attempts to cope with the hormonal imbalance by making her extra alert to every thing. She feels so irritable that she often has trouble sleeping. The insomnia leads to tiredness and difficulty dealing with stress. This becomes a sleepless-tired-stress-irritable cycle, which, unless the problem is identified and practical measures taken to break the cycle, the woman can become overwhelmed.

Natural Menopause and Premature Menopause

Short-temper is also experienced by the woman who mourns the loss of her ability to reproduce. This occurs for most women and especially women who lost their ovaries unexpectedly. To help minimize the sudden onset of menopause, whenever possible, many surgeons will avoid removing both ovaries. If one ovum is left in place, it can continue to produce enough estrogen and progesterone that can help to prevent the rapid onset of menopause. This allows the woman to progress naturally to menopause when her body is matured and more ready for the change.

For women who must have the uterus removed, it is important to discuss with your gynecologist the possibility of leaving the ovaries in place, if at all possible. Women who are able to keep their ovaries intact can continue to enjoy a satisfactory level of well-being of not having to deal with premature menopause. Women, who do not have the option of keeping their ovaries intact, should discuss all available alternative options and treatments with the gynecologist prior to surgery.

How to Manage Irritability During Menopause?

Whether the woman is feeling severely cross because of premature or naturally occurring menopause, she may find the symptom overwhelming, and might consider the following practices that have been reported to be helpful by women who have had similar experiences.

Food and nutrition: Soya products for example, milk, beans, tofu. Tofu, for example have been used steamed, stir fried, and in stews.
Rest, exercise, relaxation and massages: While an after dinner walk before bed time has been proven beneficial, late naps close to bed times should be avoided. Late naps tend to interfere with a good night sleep, and so does vigorous exercise before bed time.

On the other hand, relaxing or winding down before bed time, have been used to encourage a good night sleep. For example, reading pages of a romantic novel or poetry, and listening to soft music. Some women have also reported feeling more calm after resting in a quiet place and taking 10-20 deep breaths periodically. For example, thinking on pleasant and positive thoughts while breathing in, and exhaling negative thoughts.

A warm bath and/or a slow back rub have had similar effects. Soaking the feet for 5-10 minutes in warm water followed by a foot massage have also been quite soothing (test water temperature with elbow before sub merging feet - if water feels too warm for your elbow, add cold water until it is comfortable). Further, some women have benefited from the use of Herbals and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), of which, several varieties are on the market.

Menopausal women experience varying levels of being ill-tempered as the emotional self attempts to adjust to the fall off of estrogen and progesterone. In trying to seek relief, for persistent or severe irritability, the woman may be inclined to try unusual foods, exercises, or medications. Whether over the counter medications or other substances are tried, medical approval is encouraged prior to engaging in unfamiliar practice(s).

Herbal Remedies For Gastric Disorder

Gastric disorders often include gastritis, heartburn or reflux, dyspepsia or indigestion, hyper-acidity, ulcers, constipation, diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, etc. Most of them may cause pain, nausea, bloating, belching, vomiting, flatulence, headache and several other discomforts. While Inflammatory Bowel Disease and chronic ulcers should be treated by a doctor, most other gastric disorders can be treated with herbs. Herbal remedies for gastric disorders are the best as they are gentle and natural for the system. Some of them are briefly mentioned below.

Juices & Mixtures

Coconut water, juices of spinach, carrot, potato, aloe vera, cabbage, coriander (added to fresh buttermilk) and lemon are effective in treating gastric disorders. Asafetida mixed in cumin water, curd and buttermilk, rice gruel, a tablespoon of cinnamon water, and honey are also effective. So is probiotic yogurt.

Bitter Herbs

Bitter herbs are unrivaled stomach tonics, promoting digestive juices, peristalsis and the flow of bile. Chamomile is an excellent tonic for the liver and digestive system. Gentian, Centuary, Boldo, and Mugwort are bitter and immensely useful herbal remedies for gastric disorders.

Other Herbs

Ginger is a wonder medicine for any stomach related irritations and diseases. Ginger juice mixed with salt or honey, or ginger tea, can be very effective. Peppermint is another useful herb; its ability to calm cramping stomach and intestinal muscles makes it a superb treatment for indigestion. Other useful herbs are: Artichoke, Goldenseal, Marshmallow, Marigold and Bishop's Weed, Carom seed, Asparagus, Bell pepper, fennel, garlic, cardamom, Goldenseal, Bayberry and turmeric, ajwain, mint, lavender, rosemary, juniper, valerian, lemon balm, yarrow, slippery elm, aniseed, clove, Haritaki, (also known as Terminalia chebula), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Nishoth (Operculina terpethum), Mulathi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Marich (Piper nigrum), i.e., Pepper. Laxative herbs such as Cascara Sagrada, Senna, Rhubarb, and Buckthorn besides Aloe Vera resin, will greatly help heal the stomach and intestines. Antispasmodic herbs relieve cramping and spasms, and include Cramp Bark, Black Haw, Lady's Slipper (very rare and hence expensive).

Fruits

Apples and carrots contain malic acid and tartaric acid which help neutralize stomach acids. Papaya seeds and pineapples, blueberries, cherries and tomatoes and vegetables like squash and Cranberry can also fight gastric problems. Orange is another effective indigestion remedy. So are grapes.

Oil rubbing

Rubbing a carrier oil (i.e. Olive, Castor, Almond, or Grape Seed oil) into the stomach and massaging 1-3 drops of one of the essential oils supra into the stomach area, will also be effective.

Water

Water is the best medicine for all diseases. Water consumption must be sufficient to meet the requirements of the body.

Andropause - Exploring Male Menopause and Mid-Life Crisis

For years, many have dismissed the changes that middle-aged men experience both mentally and physically and simply attributed them to mid-life crises. However, we now know these changes are more than just circumstance or because of other extraneous factors, but instead, are largely due to an inevitable decline in male hormones, resulting in andropause, the male equivalent of menopause.

Unfortunately, andropause is often misdiagnosed, or never treated or addressed at all due to the vagueness and wide variety of its symptoms. During the middle-age or mid-life years, most men are settled, have established themselves and have reached a point of stability that instead of being comforting, may cause some to question choices they've made, reevaluating their lives and accomplishments.

This mid-way point through one's life also causes many to think about an end to their youth, growing older, retirement, and their own mortality. Also, during this period of time, parents are aging, or needing our care at the same time our children are growing up and leaving the nest. All of these events and situations that are seemingly causing classic signs of mid-life crisis may actually be directly related to a decrease in hormones such as androgen and testosterone.

Unlike their female counterparts, men are able to reproduce well past andropause, although sperm quality and production may still be seriously affected. Testosterone, necessary for the production of healthy sperm, usually begins to naturally diminish after a man reaches the age of 40.

Symptoms of andropause may surface as early as the mid 30s, or in some men, as late as their 60s, but are most common during the 40s and 50s, and include the following:

- Difficulties with memory, alertness or concentration.

- Decreased muscle tone, weight gain, and an increase in body fat.

- Changes in urinary function or habits.

- Lack of energy or strength, decreased desire for physical activity.

- Mild to moderate depression and or irritability.

- A diminished sex drive coupled with a decrease in sexual function or ability.

- Changes in hair growth or loss, as well as noticeable changes in skin quality.

- Hot flashes, similar to those experienced by female's during menopause.

Treatment for andropause may involve the use of hormone replacement therapy, known as HRT, for men who are experiencing more severe symptoms of the condition. HRT may be useful for improving mood, relieving depression, increasing energy, and reducing anger or irritability. Many men who have received hormone replacement therapy including testosterone also report an increase in their libido as well as a decrease in insomnia or sleep problems.

For most men, a holistic or natural approach such as lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, are usually all that is necessary to control symptoms of andropause. Experts recommend a diet rich with fiber, vitamins and minerals, particularly C, D, E, and zinc, which can be found naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, or through supplements.

These small changes not only help to reduce signs of andropause, but also offer many physical benefits for the body in general. A regular exercise program, at least three times per week, helps to reduce stress, increase heart rate and blood circulation, and also boosts the body's natural immune system.

The Best Herbs For Menopause

The symptoms of menopause are no joke at all. They can really trigger the overall well being of a person. Menopause happens to women around the age of 50 and up. This is the stage when the ovaries will end its process of producing hormones. It will also end the menstrual cycle. This is actually related to aging, and all women will get to this stage. There can be a lot of symptoms that is associated with menopause. Lucky for us, there are cures for these symptoms and one of them is by using herbal medicines.

Listed are the best herbs for menopause:

繚 Dong Quai - this is a type of herb that can be found in China. For thousands of years, ancient Chinese have been using this for the treatment of menopause symptoms for women. Perhaps it is a friendly herb for women because it can cure any illnesses that they have. Menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and sleep disorders can be cured by the Dong Quai.

繚 Sage - this herb offers estrogen-like affects. There are lots of symptoms that the sage can treat. It is an herb that we can use for overall woman health.

繚 St. John's Wort - this is a known herb for treating mild depression that is associated with menopause. This can offer best results when combined with black cohosh. Together, they will improve the mood to avoid mood swings and even hot flashes and insomnia.

繚 Ginseng - you might have used ginseng for your daily health maintenance. Experts have just been recently found out that the ginseng can also be used to cure symptoms that are associated with menopause. Taking ginseng tea and supplements can help cure hot flashes and night sweats.

繚 Wild Yam - the wild yam herb is known to be a good alternative for hormone therapy. This can replace the hormones that are stopped being produced. That way, the hormonal factors of the body will still be stabilized.

繚 Red Clover - this can be found in supplements for menopause relief. It has been proven to be effective in relieving menopausal symptoms. It also helps stabilize the estrogen levels in body to prevent confusion of the hormones.

繚 Black Cohosh - this is one of the best herbs for menopause. People have been using this for many years in the treatment of different symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and itching, insomnia and many others. It can provide overall relief which makes it very useful.

繚 Agnus Castus - this is one major herb for the relief of menopausal symptoms. Women have been using this herb for centuries which helps balance the hormonal activity inside the body.

Those are all the best herbs for menopause that we can use at home or can even get from supplements and products that will help ease menopausal problems.

Pre Menopause Symptoms

Contrary to what many women think, menopause is actually a long period, and it may or may not include any symptoms. The only solid symptom of menopause is periods that are irregular and that eventually stop. Actually, you can only name the date of your menopause in retrospect, since menopause is defined as your last menstrual cycle, and you have to have been period-free for a year before you can say when menopause was. However, most women do experience some symptoms during perimenopause, so it's good to know the pre menopause symptoms so that you can prepare yourself early.

At first, some of your symptoms may seem related to PMS, since one of the main symptoms of early menopause can be mood swings. Women who are in perimenopause - which is the time period when the body's estrogen levels are dropping and menstrual cycles are becoming irregular - may also experience symptoms like hot flashes, lack of mental clarity, sleep troubles, headaches, and racing hearts. You may also experience breast tenderness, decreased sex drive, and vaginal dryness.

Luckily, most women don't experience all of these menopause symptoms - or at least not all at once. Different women will begin menopause differently, depending largely on their lifestyle choices and genetic predispositions. In general, it's thought that women who had severer PMS symptoms will have severer menopause symptoms, though this doesn't always hold true.

When you do start experiencing some symptoms of menopause, chances are likely that you may experience some mixed emotions. Menopause is a natural part of life, but it can also be a difficult thing for women to deal with because it is a distinct sign of aging and because it marks the end of your childbearing years. However, instead of fighting this completely natural process, you can work with your body to make things easier. The sooner you start making healthy lifestyle changes that will improve your experience of menopause, the better.

Some Changes to Make for Pre Menopausal Relief

Although some doctors will recommend hormonal replacement therapy for severe menopause symptoms, this approach has been shown to have many negative side effects, including an increased risk of cancer. Instead of taking this approach, which actually attempts to reverse some of the natural hormonal changes of menopause by supplementing hormones that the body is no longer producing, you can make some lifestyle changes to make your transition through menopause a graceful one.

One of the main things that you can do to help yourself during pre menopause is to eat right. You should be getting plenty of fruits and vegetables. Focus on incorporating different colored plant foods into your daily diet, since this will give you a wider variety of vitamins and minerals. Also, getting plenty of protein, fiber, calcium, and iron can help alleviate some symptoms. To eat right and maintain a healthy weight, which is also important, try to eat several small meals each day and include complex carbohydrates and protein in every meal.

Getting enough sleep and exercise is also important to pre menopausal women. You may feel more tired than normal during pre menopause, which is natural. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep each night will help, as will exercising on a daily basis. If you have trouble getting enough sleep because you're experiencing insomnia, consider using a natural herbal supplement like chamomile or valerian to help you get to sleep at night.

Taking these simple, healthy steps as soon as you feel menopause symptoms coming on will help you ensure that you get through menopause with as little fuss and bother as possible. Instead of using a dangerous clinical treatment to ease your symptoms, dealing with them in a healthy, proactive way will leave you feeling healthier and more confident through this natural phase in your life.

Treatment of Vaginal Dryness and Painful Intercourse

Women who are nearing the menopause state face problems such as vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. The main cause is the lowering of the estrogen level which leads to the thinning of the vaginal lining and also of the drying up of the wall. This condition is known as vaginal atrophy. However, there are other causes also which might cause the vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. These include the Sjogren's disease, surgical removal of the ovaries and issues related to stress and depression. If you are one of those women who are suffering from the symptom of vaginal dryness and painful intercourse, then you should keep in mind these following remedies which would help you in getting relief. However, before taking any of these medications, you should consult a doctor.

Vaginal moisturizers is one of such remedies that you can use for getting relief from the vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. These are easily available over the counter and gives immediate relief. However, because of their consistency and smell they are not liked by most of the women. Also these do not help in thickening the lining of the vagina and thus is not always effective in giving long time relief.

Another medication which is easily available over the counter is the water soluble lubricants. This also provides temporary relief and helps in gaining natural lubrication but also has the problem of consistency and smell and therefore is not liked by many women.

Many doctors prescribe, depending on the condition of the patient, low dose vaginal estrogen ring. It helps to prevent the thinning of the vaginal tissues and also they are regarded as much safer than consuming estrogen pills regularly. However, small amount of estrogen consumption does occur into the body.

Oral consumption of estrogen pills is regarded as another treatment of vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. They are prescribed by the doctors when the other remedies fail to provide any relief to the patient. These pills bring relief in many ways. They help in preventing the vaginal tissues from thinning and therefore you would get long term relief from these menopausal symptoms.

They are also effective against symptoms such as bone loss and hot flashes. Along with the benefits there are some risks also involved with the intake of estrogen pills. It might lead to the increase of risk of breast cancer in many women, if it is taken with progestin. The risk of uterine cancer also increases if a woman is taking the estrogen pills without the progesterone. The risk of blood clots also increase with this medication.

With proper medication you can easily get relief from the irritating symptoms of vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. However, along with these medications you need to follow a balanced diet as well as have lots of fluid.

Herbal Remedies For Hormonal Imbalance - What You Need To Restore Hormone Equilibrium

Women are quite prone to hormonal imbalance. When there is a decline in the production of estrogens, the body experiences a lot of problems. Appearance of pimples or acne, mood swings, dry skin, lack of appetite or increase in appetite, thinning of hair and oily skin are just some of the symptoms of this problem.

This problem is often experienced before or during menstrual period. Menopausal women also experience imbalance of hormones. A lot of things can contribute to this problem. Unhealthy lifestyle, lack of exercise, stress and excessive consumption of oily and fatty foods can make the symptoms worse.

There are herbal remedies that can help normalize hormonal functions. Here are some of them:

1. Soy

One of the best ways to counteract the effects of hormonal imbalance is through the use of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens have estrogenic properties. They duplicate the functions of estrogens in your body. You can find a lot of phytoestrogens from soy products. Eat Tofu as this is the healthiest source of flavanols that contain estrogen-mimicking compounds.

2. Black Cohosh

This herbal remedy also has flavanols that can mimic estrogenic functions in the body. According to studies, this herb can also reduce the likelihood of breast cancer. Imbalance of hormones in the body is said to be one of the contributing factors to the appearance of breast cancer.

3. Dong Quai

Many menopausal women might find relief in this Chinese herbal remedy. It can help balance hormonal functions in the system. It can also relieve upsetting symptoms such as mood swings, dry skin and hot flashes.

It is also important to have an active lifestyle. Exercising helps improve the brain's ability to produce female hormones. Make sure you get at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. You might also want to exercise outdoors such as your garden or any airy space. This will help calm your mind to get rid of stressful concerns. Stress only messes up your body's ability to produce vital hormones.

Also take omega-3 fatty acid supplements. According to studies, omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can help improve the brain's production of hormones. This also promotes "feel-good" hormone production such as serotonin and endorphin. This can alleviate melancholic feelings.

Make sure you also get enough rest. You need 8 hours of sleep to stimulate your brain's ability to produce vital hormones. Lack of sleep tends to confuse the brain. It prevents the steady production of essential hormones.

Menopause - Symptoms and Treatment

Menopause or 'change of life' occurs in most women around the age of fifty. It is a natural process the woman's body goes through whereby the monthly cycle of ovulation comes to an end. Although age fifty is the normal age, there are some women who go through menopause in their fortys or even earlier.

It is estimated only about fifteen percent of women will have severe menopausal symptoms, while twenty-five percent will go through the menopause period with no problems at all, leaving about sixty percent to experience the normal symptoms of menopause.

Sometimes the symptoms associated with menopause can be frightening to a woman; such as memory loss, difficulty concentrating and mental confusion. Many times they feel they are going crazy. For instance, they go to a cabinet in the kitchen and do not remember what they were wanting from that cabinet. Am I losing my mind?

Hot flashes are probably the most common symptom experienced by most women. They will become extremely hot and uncomfortable even though everyone else in the room claims they are not hot.

Mood swings and emotional outbursts are also common during this time. Other family members sometimes feel they are living with a powder keg, ready to explode at any time. It doesn't seem to matter what other people might say or do that triggers the tears and outbursts. Anything can cause emotions to stir up.

Anxiety and depression are normal during this time. Changes going on in the body can cause one to feel ill at ease. This is also the time of life when the kids are growing up and leaving home, and a woman could experience the 'empty nest syndrome', which could contribute to the depression.

Unable to sleep at night is very frustrating and possibly leads back to the mood swings, anxiety and depression. Losing sleep causes irritability and makes a person grouchy. Loss of sleep makes a person tired during the day and unable to function properly. Sleep loss is a common symptom of menopause.

Weight gain can be experienced by women during this time. Some women think they can eat their way through menopause. This, plus the hormonal imbalance can cause women to gain weight very easily.

Once looked upon as a dreaded experience, nowadays there is treatment for menopause that can help either lessen the symptoms or completely eliminate them. There are several hormone replacement drugs. There are risks involved in these hormone therapy treatments which should be considered before using them. These risks include an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer and blood clots. Also, estrogen may increase the risk of uterine cancer.

The conventional doctors' theory is that menopause symptoms are caused by a drop in estrogen production; thus, their solution is estrogen replacement with synthetic hormones. However, many naturalist practitioners feel too much estrogen is the problem.

The naturalist feels, since menopause is a natural transition in a woman's body, that natural solutions should be used, such as vitamins and herbs. Vitamin E has been found to reduce the discomfort of hot flashes. The vitamin E therapy has been used since the 1940s. Soy product replacement in the diet is also beneficial in relieving the symptoms.

Herbs such as cohosh, motherwort, common chickweed, elder flower and violet are used with success in treating the symptoms.

The post-menopausal years can still leave women with some of the menopausal symptoms that carry on through the end of their life. Some women are plagued with the hot flashes and weight gain for the rest of their life.

Early Menopause - Dry Eyes

Dry eyes are the least likely symptom of early menopause and menopause that you would think of. It is not often mentioned as being a menopausal symptom most of the time. Menopausal and post-menopausal women often complain of dry eyes but it is with some
'digging' that a connection might be made. There are symptoms and causes of dry eye. There are treatments for early menopause symptoms including dry eye.

Symptoms of Dry Eye

Though dry eyes are not usually connected to menopause, it will take some checking things out to determine this. Symptoms include itchiness, scratchiness, grittiness, and/or tears running down your cheeks. Your eyes may get more 'tired' throughout the day, become irritated from smoke, wind, or air movement and you may get stringy mucus in the eye. Light sensitivity, blurriness, and problems with your contacts may occur.

If dry eyes are not treated, your eyes could become ulcerated, the cornea can be scarred, or they may become seriously infected.

Causes of Dry Eye

There are two main reasons for dry occurring. The Meibomian Gland (in the inner eyelids), does not have enough oil being produced or the watery tears may evaporate too quickly. Most people have both low production of oil and excessive evaporation of tears.

There are lifestyle events that might contribute to having dry eye. When you are looking at a computer screen or reading a book and you don't blink enough to spread the eye fluid may cause dry eye. Other life events that may be connected to dry eye include wearing contacts that absorb fluids, having Lasik surgery, which cuts nerves and reduces your impulse to blink, and taking some medications such as allergy medications diuretics - birth control pills can dry out your eyes also.

A fatty acid deficiency or a deficiency of anti-inflammatory foods and auto immune diseases such as Diabetes, Arthritis, and Lupus may also cause dry mouth.

Dry eyes may affect you if you are in perimenopause, specifically because this is the time when hormones do the most fluctuation. The greater the estrogen in your system, the less tear production you will have. There is a definite hormonal connection to dry eyes and hormonal imbalances.

The inflammation of dry eye may be connected to an overall minor inflammation. An inflammation will absorb any lubricants including eye fluids. This is a belief of TCM - traditional Chinese medicine that also holds that your purest energy is shown in your eyes. If there is any imbalance or deficiency, it will show in your eyes. In TCM the liver (a detoxifying organ) rules the eyes. Increased intake of fatty acids such as Omega 3's that can be found in fish such as mackerel, tuna, or wild salmon can be beneficial for this. It can also be found some seeds and nuts. Omega 3's help relieve inflammation, aid tear production, and aid in oil production in your tears.

Treatments of Early Menopause Dry Eyes

Artificial tears (eye drops) are the usual treatment for early menopause dry eyes. Eat a diet that includes Omega 3 fatty acids that can be found in fish, nuts, and seeds, and if necessary, natural supplements can benefit dry eyes and your over-all health. Make sure your hormones are balanced; this will likely be determined by a physical exam and blood work.

Have your doctor review your medications to see if a medication might not be contributing to your dry eyes. Try to avoid anything that might be irritating to your eyes such as smoke.

Blink - it is important for your eye health. Keep your body hydrated by drinking water, pure juices, milk, and herbal teas. A humidifier may help.
Take good care of your contacts if you wear them.

Natural herbal supplements may also benefit dry eyes because they are effective in relieving early menopausal symptoms. To be of high quality they should be made of standardized herbal extracts and be extensively tested to ensure quality, safety, effectiveness, and purity.

Conclusion

Early menopause dry eyes are often attributed to anything but menopause. With a little searching and life style inventory, your dry eyes might be connected to your menopause.

You may have itchy, gritty, redness, and irritated eyes. Treatments may include artificial tears, hydration, and including Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet may add lubrication to your eyes. There is a belief in Traditional Chinese Medicine that says the eyes will show imbalances because they channel your purest energy. The liver - the detoxification organ rules the eyes. Early menopause dry eyes are a real symptom of menopause.

Menopause Progesterone Cream Benefits

There are many women with hormonal imbalances who would like to use a menopause progesterone cream as opposed to the traditional hormone replacement therapy. Challenges and problems abound as it comes to drugs and replacing progesterone. First of all, it may take months to get the correct dosage and form of therapy for each individual woman. After that you have the challenge of remembering what time of day to take the pills and it can be a hassle to take the medication with you everywhere.

No wonder many women look for alternative menopause treatments. Moreover the stress of dealing with the hormone imbalance is enough without trying to manage medication. Before you make the decision to use progesterone cream, take a look at some of the benefits by using an all natural cream products.

Easy application

One of the biggest benefits of a progesterone cream for treating menopause is how easy it is to apply. Rather than constantly worrying about the time and correct dosage, you have the freedom and flexibility to simply apply the cream once or twice a day depending on the product's directions and your personal needs. It is important to remember not to try to apply a natural estrogen cream over perfumes or body lotions. They may interfere with the skin's ability to attract the healing ingredients.

No side effects of progesterone cream

Unlike hormone replacement therapy there are no known dangerous side effects of menopause progesterone cream. With traditional techniques of treating progesterone loss, some women experience unpleasant side effects or allergic reactions. Moreover there are also those disturbing reports about future health concerns regarding extended use of those drugs. At least with progesterone body cream, you totally can be assured that there won't be any nasty repercussions later.

Natural results

Many people are deciding that natural techniques and methods for healing are more beneficial to their health and well being than lab created drugs. With this kind of treatment for progesterone loss, you can be assured that the changes to your hormone balance will be natural and gentle. Your body won't be thrown into severe changes which further disrupt your activities and life.

Making the decision to apply a menopause progesterone cream rather than hormone replacement therapy is a personal one. Menopause treatment which mention in our website is a good choice to naturally and effectively regain your hormone balance. Moreover many women also have found success with natural menopause phytoestrogen cream.

Vaginal Bleeding After Menopause (How to Deal With It)

Vaginal bleeding can have different possible causes. One of the most common ones involves atrophic vaginitis which is the effect of lowered estrogen levels. This in turn can result in painful intercourse among postmenopausal women due to the inflammation of the vaginal lining, causing lack of sufficient natural lubrication.

Women who go through hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could also experience vaginal bleeding after menopause. One of the objectives of HRT is to stimulate the uterine lighting using supplemental synthetic hormones. This means that they will bleed in pretty much the same way as healthy pre-menopausal women. However, a lot depends on the hormone dosages administered, and the amount and frequency of bleeding may vary from one menopausal woman to the next. Consulting with your doctor about this matter is highly encouraged.

Vaginal bleeding after menopause can be the result of non-medical related causes, as well. Anxiety, over-excitement, and too much stress are proven major culprits for postmenopausal bleeding in some cases. There have also been instances of sudden weight loss leading to bleeding or spotting. Dramatic and speeded-up weight loss encourages estrogen from fatty tissues to be released into the bloodstream. It is why some postmenopausal women on a crash diet experience bleeding in this manner.

Should you worry about vaginal bleeding after menopause if you experience it? While most of its causes could be natural, there is still concern about postmenopausal bleeding being caused by endometrial cancer and other cervical-related medical issues. In this light, it's best not to ignore the bleeding and get yourself checked right away.

For instance, there could already be polyps showing up in your cervix. Even benign ones can cause post-menopause vaginal bleeding and would need to be removed. Also, certain infections such as Chlamydia and cystitis may be responsible for the bleeding. The best recourse is to get a full gynaecological check-up that requires a thorough look into your medical history, plus a series of tests just to eliminate all possible causes. Some of the tests would likely involve abdominal, pelvic, vaginal, and cervical ones via speculum or a transvaginal ultrasound. After results are found, your gynaecologist can discuss with you the best medical procedure and treatments to address the bleeding.

To naturally keep vaginal bleeding after menopause at bay, strive for a serene state of mind and go on a healthy diet and lifestyle. Stress and anxiety are major causes of psychosomatic post-menopausal symptoms that include vaginal bleeding. Being calm and centered can do wonders for your overall emotional, mental, and physical well-being without having to rely on medication. Likewise, going on a sensible diet plan instead of crash dieting can help prevent post-menopausal vaginal bleeding. Discuss your nutritional needs with your doctor to come up with the best method to lose weight gradually. You may desire immediate results as far as your weight is concerned, but being healthy should still be your top priority.

Pau D'Arco A Natural Antibiotic & Powerful Anti-Fungal

We can be grateful to American Indians for a multitude of herbal and natural medicines. Pau d'arco has a been used as a medicine by the indigenous people of the rainforest. The Pau d'arco tree is a broad-leaf evergreen that grows to a height of 125 feet and produces violet colored flowers which accounts for it's often being called the "trumpet tree". It grows well in Peru and Argentina high in the Andes. It can be found growing in the low-lying areas of Paraguay and Brazil. It's use goes back in history to before the Incas. Pau d'arco tree was used to make hunting bows and as a medicine. It was observed by indigenous people that when the tree was alive and even after it was cut down, it never developed growth of mold, mildew, or fungi.

The Guarani and Topi Indians refer to the tree as "tajy, which means "to have strength and vigor" i.e. good health. Tribal medicine people peeled off the tree's bark in long strips. They then separated the inner and outer layers and used the inner bark to make healing teas. Pau d' arco has crystalline oxygen infused in it's inner bark, which is rich in iron, calcium, selenium, vitamins A, B-complex and C., magnesium potassium and sodium. These pau d'arco nutrients make give it antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal action which stimulates the immune system and fights disease. Indigenous people of South America have used pau d'arco for treating malaria, anemia, colitis, respiratory problems, colds, cough, flu, fungal infections, fever, arthritis and rheumatism, poor circulation, skin irruptions and sexually transmitted disease.

Lapachol, which is a photochemical, is present in the inner bark of pau d'arco trees has been documented as an effective natural medicine for use in treating abscesses and tumors. However, for it to be used to treat conditions such as cancer, the amount of lapachol, found in pau d' arco, required to provide and effective dosage, would be toxic if used as the exclusive treatment. It can however, be used along with other cancer treatments. Pau d'arco is given free by the Argentina government to cancer patients and also leukemia patients because of it's blood purifying qualities and because it has been know to reduce pain caused by cancer and it's treatment because of pau 'd arco's anti-inflammatory effect.

Pau d'arco contains selenium which is one of our body's natural defenses against yeast infections, vaginally as well as for topical skin treatment. It's antifungal action aids in the elimination of candida. Because of it's antifungal properties, it is useful for fighting fungi that promotes athlete's foot and other skin infections caused by fungi. It has also been shown to be effective in treating other infections such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, strep, and dysentery. Pau d'arco has a cleansing ability so is very useful for relieving intestinal infections, destroying parasites, and restoring colon health. A number of infection fighting substances known as napthoquinones seem to destroy certain disease causing bacteria, without destroying beneficial bacteria. This makes it an excellent natural antibiotic.

As a preventative, pau d'arco has been shown to help build our immune system with the stimulation of macrophages that fight disease. Pau d'arco has a high iron content that contributes to the elimination of wastes, the assimilation of nutrients and increasing oxygen supply to needed areas of the body. It helps improve hemoglobin and red blood cell corpuscles.. It therefore can be used for relief from chronic fatigue. Pau d'arco blood cleaning qualities makes it an excellent anti-allergy, anti-rhumatic, astringent, and cardiotonic. It is also often used to balance high blood pressure. It helps tone, balance and strengthen the heart. Pau d'arco helps to neutralize the poisons involving the liver which aids the liver in it's blood cleansing function.. By improving the health of our blood and it's flow we greatly increase the effectiveness of our immune system.

Pau d'arco is very useful in treatment and relief of colds, flu, herpes and hepatitis because of it's antiviral qualities. It therefore is an excellent alternative or synthetic prescription or over-the -counter cold and flu "treatments" that often only suppress symptoms without actually curing the cause or may carry the risk of unwanted, sometimes harmful, side effects e.g drowsiness, etc.

With our concern about the undesired side effects of prescription antibiotics i.e. destroying beneficial bacteria or becoming ineffective because of bacterial mutation, we can find in pau d'arco ,a powerfully effective natural antibiotic alternative. As is true of many natural health care remedies, pau d'arco has many general health care benefits beyond the specific intended purpose. For example, if we use pau d'arco for relieving a cold, we will also benefit from it's cleansing action of our blood and liver, fighting of yeast infection, elimination of intestinal parasites, etc. We an also benefit from it's general immune building properties while treating a specific health condition. Once again, we benefit from the experience and wisdom of indigenous people, as they discovered and developed the use of pau d'arco another of Nature's powerful gifts, a natural antibiotic.

How to Stop Hair Loss During Menopause

The doctors don't know exactly why this happens, but most would agree it has something to do with the slowing production of female hormones. Everybody produces testosterone even women. What keeps women's in line is the estrogen. However as she starts the change of life (menopause) it will combine with an enzyme named 5 alpha reductase. This is what causes DHT. And when that reaches the hair, the women will experience thinning and loss of the hair.

There are many other women problems that can cause hair loss as well, and these contribute to menopause in women. Like thyroid disease or problems. However what the case might be there are many things you can do to prevent this process. If you have a lot of hair loss you should consult with a doctor. But for people with mild hair loss here's some tips to help you. Below are a few ways to fix this problem!

1. The first thing is to approach the problem at the root of your hair, do this by putting in your body what it needs, a healthy nutritional diet.

2. Stress is an extremely major part of hair loss. Try to keep your stress down to minimum. Practice things like Yoga and other exercise programs to keep your stress down. Not only are they healthy ways to exercise but great for reducing stress.

3. Natural hair loss treatments are a cheap and great way to stop hair loss. There are many available treatments in forms of pills to shampoo's and even conditioners available to help with this. Talk to your doctor if planning on taking pills to make sure there aren't any side effects or reactions to the drugs you currently take.

4. Take vitamins. There are many vitamins today that are hair healthy. Some are A, C, folic acid and more. Be cautious about how much vitamins you consume because it can cause you to lose your hair if taken too much.

5. Don't over brush your hair. The follicles are very sensitive and this will irritate them and cause them to die.

6. Don't rub your hair.

7. If you wear hats, wear them loose so your blood can flow easily to the scalp.

Every one of these tips can and will lead you to a fuller healthy look! Remember to stay healthy, exercise and watch what you eat. Do this and you have nothing to worry about. Every woman will deal with it sooner or later!

The Best Menopause Remedies Target Mood Swings, Depression and Anxiety

Unlike the many different prescription drugs that are currently on the market which offer treatment from the symptoms of menopause, the best menopause remedies beg to differ. Whereas the prescription drugs are only able to successfully treat but a few of the known symptoms of menopause, and quite often required added supplemental prescription drugs to relive additional symptoms, the best natural cures for menopause utilize premium and greatly researched, all natural ingredients that target all of the known symptoms.

This is perhaps why more and more women are now tossing their prescriptions in the garbage pail, along with the many known side effects that using such drugs can cause, and instead are looking to natural cures for menopause to find safe and effective, and more affordable treatment of their ailments.

Proprietary Herbal Compounds are the Key
What if there was a natural menopause remedy that offered a proprietary compound that targeted all of the known symptoms of menopause? That is what most women are quickly finding out. By using well research and clinically and scientifically proven herbal compounds, the best natural cures for menopause do indeed target most or all of the known symptoms. The sufferer does not have to worry about taking several pills per day, or missing a pill and suffering from additional symptoms.

Differences Between Natural Cures for Menopause and Prescription Drugs
The best natural cures for menopause have undergone intensive research and development periods, where leading experts have derived potent and all natural herbal compounds that target not a few of the symptoms but all of the known symptoms of menopause. Additionally, the best menopause remedies do not cause any side effects, and unlike the recent links to increased risk of breast and ovarian cancers that have been found in the popular prescribed prescription drugs, natural cures for menopause do not cause any known side effects, work more efficiently, are far more easier to acquire and do not impose a greater risk of contracting cancers.

Home Remedies For Vaginal Dryness - Effective and Safe Natural Treatment

When vagina is not properly lubricated then this condition is called vaginal dryness. Due to this problem lovemaking also becomes less pleasurable and our daily activities also become uncomfortable. It is most common during the period of menopause and it is also the common cause of painful sex. This problem is very common among the old women and it also affects the women of all ages.

Some of the common symptoms of vaginal dryness include itching, dryness, a feeling of pressure, pain or light bleeding with sex, irritation, burning and also pain or light bleeding with sex.

Vaginal discharge is caused by a variety of conditions. If exact cause of the vaginal dryness is known then it becomes easy to find out its exact solution. Some of the common causes are decreased in estrogen level which usually occurs during the period of menopause, chronic yeast infection, douching (a process of cleaning vagina with a liquid preparation as it causes an inflammation and also disrupts the chemical balance), vaginal bacterial infection, and certain medications for the problem like cancer, allergy, ulcer, blood pressure and antidepressant. The other cause of this problem includes vaginal trauma, sexually transmitted disease and also benign or malignant tumor.

Various treatments are available for this problem like skin patch, cream, oral supplements and also some home remedies. You can enjoy the lovemaking by the help of lubricants and moisturizers.

You must not use yoghurt, hand lotions, soaps, vinegar or bubble bath to get relief from the discomfort caused by the vaginal dryness. These products may not ease your problem but at the same time increase irritation and cause infection.

Home Remedies for Vaginal Dryness

1. Make a habit to drink 8-10 glasses of water per day as it will fight against the dryness of vagina.

2. For the lubrication of vagina, aloe vera gel, saffron, ashwagandha must be taken with the milk in right proportion. It is very effective remedy for reducing the problem of vaginal dryness. Aloe due to its valuable moisturizing properties keeps the female reproductive organs hydrated and youthful.

3. Take a glass of water and add a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds and allow it to boil for 10-15 minutes. It will keep our system healthy and also increases the libido of a person. It also maintains the level of blood sugar.

4. To treat the dryness herbal oils is another way to lubricate the vagina.

Menopause Facts - What Conditions Affect Its Timeline

Most women experience menopause when they reach a ripe age of 50, but there were some cases that females with the young age of 35 might be able to experience some of the signs and symptoms attributed to this condition. Aside from the physical differences from one female to the other, there are also other factors that contribute to the onset of pre-menopausal symptoms, as well as the actual menopausal stage.

Pre-Menopausal

Women at the age of 35 to 40 may experience the signs and symptoms of pre-menopausal before going into the actual menopause. There have never been a definite clue as to why some women go into this condition and others do not. There may be a possibility that an outside factor influenced the degradation of a woman's reproductive function that causes it to show signs of menopausal at an early age.

One signal of this condition is the fluctuation of a woman's menstrual cycle. It may just be a simple spotting at first but may increase to serious bleeding issues that might lead to complications or hide a much greater risk to their bodies.

Another indication of pre-menopausal is the physical and emotional changes in a specific individual. Hair loss and skin dryness are just two of the basic signs that marks the start of the pre-menopausal cycle before reaching the actual menopausal stage.

Hormonal imbalance due to the decline in estrogen production in the human body might cause negative emotions to appear -- such as sadness anxiety, irritability, unreasonable anger, and depression. Other symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, sleeping problems, decreased libido, and so on.

Factors Affecting Its Appearance

Medical experts today are always on the look-out for possible conditions as to why menopause happens at different timeline. Studies show that women get into this condition when they reach the age of 50 and above, but there were rare cases that females experience the onset of this natural cycle at the age of 35. Asian women are known to experience this more than those in other countries.

This condition sparked the theory that there might be environmental factors that causes women to go into this condition at an early age. Pollution, diet, stress, as well as living environment might influence its appearance. There were also observations that women who have undergone specialized treatment methods have a higher chances of induced menopausal -- such as chemotherapy, surgery, or other radioactive treatment for serious health problems.

A Guide to Menopause Treatment

Menopause is a very tough transition time in any woman's life, and during this natural process, ovaries stop making the eggs, the body produces less progesterone and estrogen, and monthly cycles becomes less frequent, ultimately coming to an end. If a woman does not get periods for 12 months in a row, and there is no other medical cause for it such as illness or pregnancy, she has reached menopause.

Menopause usually happens after the age of 45, and it is beneficial to get enough information about it by talking to your doctor regarding symptoms that might be of concern so that you can get the right treatment at the right time. Termination of periods is the only common symptom of menopause, and for each woman, the experience of going through this phase is different.

Some of the most commonly experienced menopausal symptoms include change in the period pattern, vaginal dryness, hair loss, hot flashes, trouble sleeping through the night, trouble focusing, crying spells, flushed complexion, fuzzy thinking, weight gain, diaphoresis, breast tenderness, irritability, and forgetfulness. Certain menopausal symptoms can be treated by using herbal or other plant-based products such as soy in the form of powder or pill, or other sources of phytoestrogens such as black cohosh, dong quai, valelrian root and wild yam.

If used properly, menopausal hormone therapy can be quite useful in relieving the moderate to severe symptoms of menopause and also prevent the bone loss. MHT helps menopausal women by reducing hot flashes and night sweats, treats vaginal symptoms such as dryness and discomfort, increases the level of hormones progesterone and estrogen, eases mood swings and also slows down bone loss, but it may also increase the risk of certain medical conditions such as stroke, breast cancer and heart disease.

Menopause is not a disease and does not require any definitive treatment or cure. Using vitamin E, SSRI drugs, megestrol acetate, and neurontin for hot flashes, vaginal moisturizers, low dose vaginal estrogen ring, water-soluble lubricants and estrogen by mouth for dry vagina and painful intercourse, counseling, estrogen and SSRI drugs for depression and mood swings, and raloxifene, bisphosphonates, vitamin D, calcitonin, estrogen, and tamoxifen for bone loss during menopause have been quite helpful to alleviate the symptoms.

So far, estrogen has been the most effective treatment for hot flashes, but, the risks and benefits associated with this therapy need to be carefully considered. Meditation, massage, relaxation therapy, and acupuncture are few effective alternative therapies that can relieve symptoms of menopause, and for women who cannot take hormonal therapy due to its side-effect, these therapies are life-savers.

Increased Cramping During Menopause?

During your late forties or early fifties, you will begin a new stage of life, common to all women--menopause. Some rejoice at the thought to no longer having to buy tampons. Others cry, realizing their childbearing days are over. However, all experience new (and usually unpleasant) changes in their monthly hormonal cycle, one of which is cramping. Increased cramping, unfortunately, is not unusual for women later in life, but there are a number of treatment options. You don't have to live with the pain of menopausal cramps.

If you experienced cramping during your menstrual cycle, you will most likely experience it after you stop menstruating as well. This begins to occur during the first stage of menopause, called perimenopause. You may continue to experience menstruation irregularly during this time, but it is common to get cramps even without bleeding. You have officially entered the menopause stage of life after you have not experienced a period for one year.

At this time, cramping may still occur monthly--just because your ovaries no longer produce eggs does not mean you do not still experience some kind of monthly hormonal cycle--but it is rare, so talk to your doctor to be sure that you are otherwise healthy. Cramps after you have not experienced bleeding for over a year may indicate other more serious health problems. Also talk to your doctor if you have never experienced cramping before, but begin to suffer from cramps regularly.

You have a number of treatment options to relieve the pain you may experience from cramping, and your doctor can help you choose the best course of action for your body. While some women may find relief in simple over-the-counter medicines (the same ones used in earlier years for relief with menstruation cramping), others seek prescription strength drugs. In recent years, the idea of hormone replacement therapy has become a less popular option due to its association with cancer, but some doctors still recommend this course of action.

Natural remedies, such as herbs, are receiving thumbs ups from women across the country, and are now one of the most common treatments for menopausal women, as they help with not only cramping, but with other symptoms as well. This is a type of alternative medicine that is still being studied, but many women swear by the use of herbal remedies. Other alternative medicine treatment options include acupuncture, acupressure, and meditation.

There are also things you can do to relieve cramps at home, without medicine or medical procedures. These are often the same remedies used by menstruating women to relieve cramps during their periods. Try a warm bath to help with the tension and pain. Also remember that regular sexual activity is healthy and a great way to stop cramping. Massage can also be used at home as a temporary fix to cramps.

Overall, it is simply important to keep an open dialogue with your doctor about the numerous changes that are taking place in your body. Cramps are a common problem for the majority of women going through menopause, so you are not alone in your struggle to stop the painful cramping in the perimenopause stage of life.

Natural Remedies for the Treatment of Menopause Symptoms

If you believe you are going through menopause it is always good to know that you are not alone. This is unavoidable for women and the focus should be on making it through the life change without losing your vivaciousness. Menopause should not be a time of gloom and although there are various physiological conditions associated with menopause, the good news is that there are various natural remedies for the treatment of these menopause symptoms.

Menopause is a natural occurrence for women around the age of forty and may be earlier than this for some women and varies from woman to woman. Transitioning to menopause also known as perimenopause signifies a change in the reproductive life with shorter or longer than usual menstrual cycles due to various fluctuations of ovarian hormones secreted during this period.

Combating menopause symptoms will ensure that this transition is as smooth as possible. Natural or home remedies have been shown to be very effective in treating symptoms of menopause. It can be as simple as maintaining a proper diet in order to combat the menopause symptoms.

Changing eating habits may be difficult for many women. This is not helped by the busy lives that most of us lead that leave maintaining proper nutrition the last thing on most of our minds. Those who attempt to make this a priority see many positive results. Drinking six to ten glasses of water a day while limiting alcohol and caffeine consumption is highly recommended.

Consuming foods that are rich in vitamin D and calcium (such as cheese and milk) produces positive results for menopause sufferers. Taking vitamin supplements is also helpful but not as much as deriving these vitamins and nutrients from the food itself. Vitamin supplements should always be a last resort.

Soy is another food item that is a natural remedy to treat or reduce the symptoms of menopause. Soy drink mixes are available online or offline. Other soy products include soy milk which is widely available. There are various other soy products that are widely available and can be incorporated into a diet with minimal effort.

Some natural herbs such as black cohosh fight some of the symptoms of menopause. Some studies have shown that black cohosh reduces the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes as well as reducing excessive sweating.

Another effective natural or home remedy for menopause symptoms is beet juice. This home remedy has been proven successful for the treatment of the symptoms of menopause. Most recommend taking about sixty milliliters of beet juice no more than three times daily. If you need to add a sweetener, try a natural sweetener that you can find at various natural food stores.

Various menopause sufferers complain about insomnia. Simple steps to combat this involve eliminating alcohol, caffeine products, sleeping pills and ensuring that your bedroom is kept at a comfortable and cool temperature.

Urinary Tract Infections - 6 Ways to Prevent Them During Menopause

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common bacterial infections in women. This female tract is more susceptible to infections during menopause due to a reduction in hormonal support from the body. This system is meant to remove the body's fluid wastes and is more vulnerable to multiplication of bacteria which can lead to a nasty infection. Though not typically serious, they can be very painful and most often the symptoms disappear quickly after treatment with antibiotics.

Most women experience this kind of infection at least once in their lifetimes, often caused by sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, some experience repeated occurrences.

Menopause and Urinary Infections - Their Causes

Factors leading to increased risks of infection in women are pregnancy, infections as a child, diabetes and menopause. The bacteria around the rectum or the vagina, can enter the urinary tract and cause irritation. The female anatomy is prone to this kind of problem as her tract is a sterile system and the very act of for example, sexual intercourse, can move bacteria into the urethra.

A weak bladder can also be the cause of urinary infections. The bladder stretches to hold urine and relaxes when it is emptied of urine. When, at times, you wait too long to empty your bladder, it can become overstretched and the bladder muscle becomes weakened. In this state, it does not completely empty the bladder and retains some urine which increases the risk of infection.

When you have an infection, there is a strong and often uncontrollable urge to urinate. The act of urination is followed by sharp pain and a burning sensation in the urethra. Some times, even when the urge is great, very little urine is released. This frequent urge to urinate is one of the symptoms of this kind of infection. It is advisable to have proper diagnosis done by your primary care physician, since during menopause similar symptoms could cause vaginal or vulva-related infections.

Ways to Prevent Urinary Infections during Menopause

Typical treatment is a course of antibiotics which need to be taken as prescribed by a doctor and continued until the full treatment is complete.

There are certain ways that you can prevent urinary infections from occurring:

繚 First and foremost is to practice good personal hygiene.

繚 After bowel movement and urination, wash the area around the rectum and the vagina thoroughly and ensure it is dried properly. Always wipe front to back.

繚 Washing before and after sexual intercourse is a good means of prevention. Some doctors recommend urinating before and after a sexual intercourse to flush out bacteria.

繚 Drink plenty of water to ensure flushing out of bacteria from the urinary tract. Do not accumulate urine in the bladder and empty it out at the earliest to reduce the risk of infections.

繚 Cotton panties, or panties with a cotton crotch, are recommended as cotton allows moisture to evaporate. Moist environments are a breeding ground for bacteria.

繚 Sexually active women can change sexual positions to cause less friction on the urethra. Women who tend to have frequent urinary infections are advised to take antibiotics after sexual intercourse.

A Natural Alternative For Relieving Hot Flashes, Mood Swings, And Depression

Millions of women suffer from the hormonal imbalances of PMS and menopause. These imbalances cause physiological effects of heavy, irregular bleeding, sleeplessness, cramping, mood swings, hot flashes and depression, and countless other symptoms that inhibit a woman’s ability to function normally under fluctuating hormones. Most women have sought the help of over the counter drugs and prescription medication in order to alleviate these symptoms, putting themselves at risk for potential serious side effects from synthesized drugs. Interest in natural remedies has grown over recent years and more and more women are turning to plant-based products to regulate hormones and relieve symptoms of menopause and PMS. A combination of the most effective natural remedies for these symptoms gives women optimal relief without synthetic drugs or hormones.

Recent decades have proven that synthetic hormones and medications can prove more dangerous than beneficial. Every year popular medications and over the counter drugs are pulled from the shelves due to health risks and hormone replacement therapy has proven to cause severe health risks such as heart attacks and cancer. But women continue to search for relief from the symptoms of menopause and PMS. Many of these women have gone on and off hormonal therapy and medications, constantly searching for relief from hormonal symptoms as well as release from the side effects of prescription medications. Millions of women suffer from these side effects but, until lately, have had no other alternative to traditional synthesized medicine.

Thanks to the increase in interest of natural remedies, more and more doctors and scientists have discovered the beneficial results from patients using herbal and natural remedies. Dr. Kalyami Kumar OB/GYN began seeing severe health side effects from patients using hormone replacement therapy and began studying the benefits of some of these natural herbs. As a result, she discovered that a specific combination of black cohosh, red clover, wild yam, and soy provided women with the relief they so desperately needed without the dangerous side effects of traditional treatment.

A synergistic blend of these ingredients helps create hormone balances within the body and provide symptomatic relief for problems commonly associated with menopause and PMS. Estrogen, one of the major hormones associated with PMS and menopause, can cause severe cramping and bleeding when in excess. Balanced supplements, like those found in Estrosym, are designed to balance out the estrogen dominance with natural ingredients. For example, black cohosh binds to estrogen receptors and makes the body believe it is receiving and creating estrogen, providing an opportunity for the body’s own hormones to come into better balance. But, in order to maintain proper levels of progesterone and estrogen, women must incorporate wild yam, a supplement containing molecules that convert to progesterone and counteract the estrogen dominance in the blood. Wild yam also produces a calming effect, settling the moods of women while balancing the hormones associated with moodiness and anxiety. By balancing the hormones naturally, supplements provide relief from the bleeding, cramping, hot flashes and mood swings so commonly associated with hormone fluctuations.

Menopause and PMS cause stress and anxiety even without imbalanced hormones. Normal and abnormal fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone cause both physical and psychological stress, eventually resulting in both bodily and emotional discomfort. Dr. Kumar has created a means by which women can alleviate both the hormonal fluctuations and the symptoms commonly associated with these imbalances. A synergistic blend of supplements relieves heavy bleeding, cramping, hot flashes, moodiness, depression, sleeplessness, and even promotes bone health and collagen synthesis. By providing all the benefits (visit: [http://www.estrosym.net] ) of traditional medication without the use of synthesized drugs, natural supplements provide women with the relief they need and the safety they deserve.

The Right Treatment For Menopause Hair Loss

The notion that balding is something more rampant in men than women is not quite right, as loss of hair is actually something that the female sex also suffered from. In fact, most women may experience some form of loss of hair at one point in their life - especially during their menopausal period. Menopause hair loss is a condition suffered by at least two-thirds of women.

This condition has been observed intensively by hair experts and it is understood that during menopause, the thyroid will not function to its full potential. When the thyroid isn't functioning effectively, loss of hair may occur. Another cause of loss of hair during menopausal period is the stress that comes with the sudden change of the bodily function. Hormone levels that fluctuate wildly also contribute to the loss of hair.

Fortunately for women in their late 40s or early 50s who are facing menopause, there are many medications and treatments that can be used to help deal with menopause hair loss -- these are some of them.

The use of Finasteride, also commonly known as Propecia, is recommended by experts since the prescription pill is found to be very effective in preventing hair loss and encourage hair growth. Though the pill was originally intended for men, recent studies concluded that the pill could also be beneficial for treating menopause hair loss. However, this medication should not be taken by those that are pregnant or planning to be pregnant soon - as it may lead to birth defects.

Another popular medication that is used to treat this type of loss of hair is the Minoxidil, which is also known as Rogaine. The use of Minoxidil can help the hair to grow back thicker by stimulating the hair follicles. This medication is considered safe as it has been approved by FDA.

One alternative that has been growing in popularity is the microsurgical hair implants. Bear in mind that this is different from the ancient hair plugs that balding people used in the old days, as it uses modern techniques to transplant growing hair follicles in different parts of the scalp. This method is strictly for those that don't mind spending more and is considered to be the last resort for those who are experiencing loss of hair due to menopause.

In addition to the medications and treatments above, it's always good to live a healthier lifestyle and follow a healthy diet to deal with the loss of hair problem. This is an excellent way to improve the natural ability of the hair to grow.

Estro500 Menopause Relief Review

Menopause can be a stressful time of change for women. With symptoms of hot flashes, night-sweats, fatigue, irritability, mood swings, and even anxiety, many women seek to find solutions to be able to cope. Estro500 is a topical treatment for symptoms of Menopause that can be considered a more natural approach than Hormone Replacement therapy.

Estro500 can aid estrogen production. Its packaging appears as an 'airless pump', a single pump white bottle with a purple label. The active ingredients in this cream are Estriol and Estradiol (Estriol 80%, Estradiol 20%). Estriol is naturally formed in the liver and has been said by some experts to help prevent cancer. Estradiol is the most produced form of estrogen in a woman's ovaries. Estradiol is a much more potent substance than Estriol. The full composition of Estro500 consists of deionized water, Caprylic Trigylceride, Polyarcylamide, C13-14, Isoparafin, Laurenth-7, SD alcohol, aloe juice, potassium, Estradiol, Estriol, and grapefruit.

Estro500 is said to be bio-identical to naturally produced estrogen. Due to the significant depletion of hormones during the time of menopause women often times need to supplement what their bodies are lacking. Estro500 is a topical cream and is available for purchase online. Online ordering is always beneficial because you are able to read reviews on different products and formulas until you find the one that best fits your specific health needs. Insurance currently does not provide coverage of the product Estro500.

There have been no clinical studies of Estro500 and the product does not direct the consumer as to where exactly to apply the ointment, but it instructs it should be on clean, dry skin. It is considered to be a cosmetic product and actually beneficial for skin, though irritation can occur in sensitive skin cases. Directions explain the consumer should apply three pumps to skin around bedtime. It can be applied twice daily or larger doses as needed. Each pump from the dispenser is claimed to have the perfect pre-measured dose each time. Two pumps is the equivalent of.500 mg of Premarin. It has been noted often times doses need to be increased depending on response to symptoms. No prescription is necessary to acquire the product though one should always consult a doctor before routinely taking a supplement. It is suggested Estro500 be taken accompanying progesterone to stop hot flashes and better fight all symptoms. Estro500 offers easy application and fast results consumers say.

Menopause Night Sweating and Other Causes of Excessive Sweat

There are a number of causes of Night-sweating. It is important to identify what is causing the problem so that we can know how to treat or alleviate the causes of the condition.

Common causes of night sweating are; the menopause, alcohol, constipation, anxiety, diabetes, and prostate cancer.

Obviously, if diabetes or prostrte cancer are suspected then the only real course of action is to see your local doctor. These conditions need to be checked out immediately so that effective treatment can be started to relieve the situation.

With regard to the other common causes, there are a number of things you can do.

1. Alcohol

Firstly if you know that it often occurs after you have drunk alcohol then try drinking water during the evening and certainly before going to bed. This helps the body to cope with the intake of alcohol which the body regards as a toxin. The body needs at least 8 large glasses of water a day otherwise it gets de-hydrated and a chemical build up of toxins can occur. If you add alcohol to a low intake of water then your body is going to protest - night sweats are part of the body's protest. It can also serve as a warning to slow down on your alcohol consumption. Some people decide to drink to a certain time on an evening out and then turn to soft drinks or even water or Coca Cola.

2. Constipation

This again is caused by the body not having enough water to drink. The body is made up of 70% of water and so we need to replenish this so that we keep our bodies from drying out. Another sign that we are not drinking enough can be dreams. Even hallucinations can happen as our minds play tricks on our brain since we do not drink enough water. Our liver and kidneys need to have water and natural juices like vegetable and fruit to help them function and so help our bodies to get rid of toxins and other waste or harmful by-products that our bodies deem to be waste. A good, healthy diet of home cooked food will help. Why not try to cut down on processed foods and try more healthy options with natural foods as the main ingredients. A good varied diet like the GI Diet can be very helpful with plenty of fibre to naturally clear constipation.

3. Menopause

This obviously affects women who are at the end of their child bearing age. However, the events start in women of varying ages. For some people a visit to the doctor is helpful as they may need help such as a course of estrogen to help stabilise the hormonal imbalance at this time. Those who wish to use a more natural approach can use herbal remedies.

Obvious things that can help with night sweats, or hot flushes, are - making the bedroom cool, avoiding nylon sheets and night wear - opt for natural fibres like cotton. Make sure you drink plenty of water and take time to relax - even have a regular massage to relieve tension. Take time to unwind before bed and make sure you things you find relaxing and avoid heavy late evening meals. Also have a drink of water by your bed for those moments when you wake at night.

4. Tension

If you feel tension is the cause then relaxing and regular massages are brilliant. Another helpful thing is to consider the things that you may be worried about - good friends are essential to talk about these things. Try not to work too late and have a period of "me" time where you can relax and switch off. Maybe you find puzzles or a favourite movie or music that helps you relax. Find pre-bed-time activities that help you switch off from the every day events that you are involved in.

Herbal Remedies for Hot Flashes: Avoiding the Problems of Hormone Replacement Therapy

The most common menopausal symptom for most women is also the most uncomfortable. Women who would otherwise hardly notice the transition into menopause definitely notice hot flashes! The medical treatment that was usually suggested for hot flashes in the past was hormone replacement therapy. While HRT can be very effective in alleviating the symptoms it can also increase your risk of breast cancer and stroke. It is no wonder that so many women are using herbal remedies for hot flashes.

The exact cause of hot flashes is unclear, but hormonal changes and imbalances are thought to be the main reason. Medical professionals consider hot flashes as an estrogen deficiency that can be triggered by stimulants, such as spicy foods (ginger, cayenne, pepper), acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus, pickles), hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, caffeine (chocolate, coffee, cola, black tea), white sugar, stress, hot weather, saturated or hydrogenated fats (margarine, meat), saunas and hot tubs, marijuana or tobacco, intense exercise, and anger. For many women, just eliminating that list of triggers plus using herbal remedies for hot flashes will bring immediate relief.

Hot flashes may last for a few minutes or even up to an hour. They may be mild or very severe. Every woman will experience them a little differently. Hot flashes which occur at night are called night sweats. They can be accompanied with anxiety and nightmares. Not all women experience hot flashes and fewer experience night sweats. However, many women experience both situations when they are going through menopause.

Exercise is a good way of decreasing hot flashes because it decreases the amount of FSH and LH hormone circulation by toning and nourishing the hypothalamus and raising endorphin levels.

Herbal remedies for hot flashes include plants that have the ability to cool the body, such as chickweed, violet, and elder; plants which increase and nourish oxygen utilization of the liver, such as dandelion, dong quai, polygonum multiflorum,, and yellow duck; and plants which contains high phytosterols, most notably black cohosh.

These are some of the most used herbal remedies for hot flashes:

1. Dong quai relaxes and contracts the uterine muscles. Its effect is not estrogenic, which is the main reason for dong quai's effectiveness. It treats hot flashes by stabilizing the blood vessels.

2. Chaste berry or vitex affects the functions of the pituitary and regulates dizziness and hot flashes. Its beneficial effects are altering the secretion of FSH and LH hormones during menopause. It lowers the levels of estrogen while increasing progesterone levels, which keep vaginal walls and bones strong.

3. Black cohosh was used widely by Native Americans and later by the American colonists for relieving menopause and menstrual cramps. Clinical studies have revealed that black cohosh extract relieves hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, and depression.

4. Motherwort lessens the frequency, duration and severity of hot flashes. It relieves anxiety, insomnia, and stress. Frequent usage will produce the best results.

5. Licorice root is historically used for treating various female disorders. It also has been used effectively in treating asthma and infections of the respiratory tract. It also decreases estrogen and increases progesterone.

6. Essential oils of thyme or basil alleviate hot flashes when utilized in baths, foot rubs, when inhaled, or combined with massage oils.

These herbal remedies for hot flashes - when combined with eliminating common triggers - can greatly reduce menopausal symptoms in most women.

Endometriosis and Menopause - What to do if Symptoms Persist

Not many women can say they are looking forward to the day that menopause starts and start dealing with symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. However, for Endometriosis sufferers the thought of menopause can bring a welcome smile. So, why do these women have such a positive view of endometriosis and menopause?

Did you know that when women reach menopause, they tend to cease experiencing the painful and often debilitating symptoms of endometriosis?

Endometriosis symptoms can start to be felt any time after the onset of puberty. In other words, menstruating women are more at risk of developing endometriosis.

So, women are less likely to feel the painful effects of endometriosis if they are in their menopausal years.

This relief has made many women accept and even welcome the onset of menopause to relieve themselves of the Endometriosis related pains.

However, unfortunately, it's not that straight forward as it has been found that menopause does not guarantee the removal of all the endometriosis symptoms. But more on this in a moment.

To understand why menopause helps women overcome endometriosis symptoms, it helps to understand more about the nature of endometriosis.

The exact cause of the condition is not yet determined, but the reasons why the symptoms are felt once endometriosis has developed seem quite clear.

The uterus contains endometrial tissues that are directly affected by estrogen levels in the blood.

Every month estrogen levels increase and the endometrial glands in the uterus start producing lots of tissue to thicken the wall lining in readiness for pregnancy. When pregnancy doesn't occur the estrogen levels drop and the period starts.

Problems start when endometrial glands are found in other parts of the body like the kidneys, ovaries, bladder, abdominal wall, intestines and even the areas in-between these organs.

These deposits react in the same way as the glands that line the, swelling then shedding and bleeding. However, there is usually nowhere for the blood and debris to go, and this is what can cause the endometriosis symptoms, including the excruciating pain.

Menopause

During menopause, the ovaries are not active anymore. Estrogen levels dip and so women who regularly suffer from endometriosis who reach the menopause tend not to experience endometriosis symptoms anymore.

The same goes for younger women who elect to have their ovaries surgically removed in a bid to alleviate the pain endometriosis brings about. By taking this route, menopause is accelerated.

Recurrence

Unfortunately, menopause either natural or forced does not necessarily mean the end of endometriosis symptoms. If you take hormone replacements or if your body continues to produce hormones after menopause your symptoms can still remain.

But what should you do if endometriosis recurs during and after menopause?

Normally, your doctor would ask you to take pain relievers for pain relief. There are also a number of natural methods and simple lifestyle changes you can make that help reduce the endometriosis symptoms..

You can read more about the natural treatments for Endometriosis by signing up for our free newsletter below.

Endometriosis and menopause can have significant impacts on your life, so make sure you understand how the two are linked to choose the best solution.

Hair Loss in Menopause - Treatments to Stimulate Natural Hair Regrowth

It may not seem like it, but thinning hair is a very common occurrence among women. In fact, nearly half of all middle aged women will experience some degree of hair loss. Menopause can cause changes in a woman's body which can cause her to shed hair in clumps. There are natural treatments which can lead to natural hair regrowth.

Androgenic Alopecia

Androgenic alopecia causes the strands to start thinning throughout a woman's head. Nearly half of all women will have this experience by their 50th birthday. Hormones are linked to this form of hair loss. Menopause causes a shift in hormonal levels.

Women have small amounts of the male hormone testosterone in their bodies. An enzyme known as alpha-5-reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which is also known as DHT. DHT attaches itself to the hair follicles causing them to shrink. As the follicles shrink, they become non-functional. This causes the strands to fall out. New hair cannot grow in because the follicles are now unable to hold onto hair.

Genes are also a factor with this condition. If one or both of your parents had thinning hair during middle age, there is a greater chance you will also start losing some of your hair as well.

Natural Remedies for Hair Loss During Menopause

Women can use natural remedies to help reduce hair loss. Menopause does not have to cause you to permanently lose your hair.

Horsetail is a good source of silica, a natural substance which will strengthen your strands. Green tea can reduce shedding caused by androgenic alopecia, also known as female pattern baldness. The tea contains substances which prevent the enzyme alpha-5-reductase from converting testosterone into DHT. This will allow the follicles to begin functioning again which will allow the hair to grow back.

You can stimulate natural hair regrowth and reduce thinning by applying emu oil directly to your scalp.

A Horrific Prescription For Menopause

Someone I know, thinking she had finally reached the stage of menopause because of frequently occurring hot flashes that were driving her mad, made an appointment with her doctor. The doctor set her up to have a hormone panel done. With the positive results of the tests, her suspicions were confirmed, she had indeed reached menopause.

Before we go any further in this posting, let me tell you a few facts about my friend. She is a very joyful woman, is very happily married, an active sex life with her husband, has two wonderful teenagers and a positive attitude towards life. Enough about my friend.

Let me tell you her horror story.

So she went to her doctor to discuss her hormone testing results and, after enough reading the research from some books and the internet, she decided she wanted to get bioidentical hormones. Her doctor told her they don't work and refused. What her doctor prescribed for her was a rather horrific solution for her menopause problems. Her doctor prescribed Premarin (pregnant horse's urine), a D&C and anti-depressants.

Horrified, my friend left the doctor's office.

We would like to ask why would a doctor prescribe anti-depressants to a happy person? Anti-depressants cause among other side effects: suicidal thoughts, dry eyes, loss of libido and a dry vagina. My happy friend said the last thing she wanted was a dry vagina, loss of libido and suicidal thoughts.

We ask also, why would a doctor prescribe a D&C? Very interesting.

The overall problem is that very few doctors understand menopause. Not many doctors stay up to date with the latest research on menopause. Many ordinary people believe that most doctors finish their Med school and that's it. This particular doctor is in her late 50s, so this doctor would have completed her training about 20 to 25 years ago.

Another problem is that there is not the money to do more research into bioidentical hormones. A fact to consider is that the all-powerful pharmaceutical companies have seen their profits decline because of the latest negative research on traditional HRT (chemical hormone replacement theory) and would not profit from BHRT because its mixtures cannot be patented. One pharmaceutical giant has even launched legal action against the makers of compounded bioidentical hormones.

So, millions of women in North America and Europe do their own research, find a compounding pharmacy and find a doctor capable of prescribing and monitoring their hormones with BHRT. It's time that governments do the official research. Women are rebelling.

An update on my friend: I asked her two weeks after starting a bioidentical hormone therapy how her symptoms were. She asked, what symptoms?

Genistein Is the Proven Safe and Effective Menopause Relief Supplement

Hot flashes and night sweats are the most common symptom of menopause in 50-70% of menopausal women in developed countries and estrogen hormone replacement therapy is a highly effective hot flashes treatment. However, in recent years the use of estrogen hormone therapy has been substantially reduced due to the finding in the large Women's Health Initiative study that it increases risk of stroke and breast cancer.? Thus, there is a need for a safe and non-hormonal alternative for hot flashes treatment.? One of the most highly studied alternatives is soybean isoflavones. It was suspected that soybeans contain compounds that provide menopausal relief since Asian countries where soybean consumption is much higher than in Western counties only 20-25% of postmenopausal women experience hot flashes and night sweats.

Soy isoflavones are naturally occurring in soybeans and consist of three compounds called genistein,daidzein, and glycitein which make up approximately 50, 40, and 10% of the total soybean isoflavone content, respectively. Since the mid 1990s, dozens of studies have been conducted with isoflavones to determine if they will alleviate menopausal symptoms. However, the findings have been very mixed and it was observed only recently those soy products with genistein as the major isoflavone were consistently effective and those with daidzein as the major isoflavone were mostly ineffective.? This observation has now been confirmed in three published clinical intervention studies in Italy and one recent clinical study in Canada with postmenopausal women given pure genistein that taken together prove its value in hot flash treatment.

In the first study by Crisafulli (2004) 98 postmenopausal women had hot flash reductions greater than placebo of 22, 29 and 24% after 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively. In a second study by D'Anna (2007, 2009) 389 postmenopausal women were given 54 mg/day of genistein or a placebo over 2 years.? Hot flashes and night sweats were reduced in the genistein group after one month and reached 56.5% after 12 months but did not decrease further in the second year. A third study by Albertazzi (2005) gave 90 mg/day of genistein or placebo to 100 postmenopausal women for 6 weeks.? Women who had more than 9 hot flashes per day had a 31.25% reduction in the genistein group compared to a 20% reduction in the placebo group.

A fourth clinical intervention study was conducted by Elliott (2009) with 84 Canadian postmenopausal women who received 30 mg of pure synthetic genistein or a placebo for 12 weeks.? After 12 weeks the women on genistein had a 51% reduction on hot flashes and night sweats compared to only 27% for the women in the placebo, a highly significant difference.? Compared to placebo, this reduction in hot flashes at 12 weeks was a net reduction of 24% which is very similar to the 29% net reduction seen in the Crisafulli (2004) study after 12 weeks.? What is particularly noteworthy about this study is that the dose was 30 mg versus 54 mg in the Italy studies and a daily genistein intake of 30 mg falls well within the range consumed by Asians who eat traditional soy foods.The genistein used in this study is branded as geniVida, a product of DSM Nutritional Products. It is 99% pure, soy-free, allergen-free and has an extensive package of safety studies in animals and humans which demonstrate it is safe for daily use.

The geniVida used in the above study is now available in a new product for hot flash relief called i-cool.? To learn more about i-cool and purchase go to SupplementFirst.com.

References Cited:

Crisafulli A, Marini H, Bitto A, Altavilla D, Squadrito G, Romeo A, Adamo EB, Marini R, D'Anna R, et al. Effects of genistein on hot flushes in early postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind EPT- and placebo-controlled study. Menopause 2004;11:400-4.

D'Anna R, Cannata ML, Atteritano M, Cancellieri F, Corrado F, Baviera G, Triolo O, Antico F, Gaudio A, et al. Effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on hot flushes, endometrium, and vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal women: a 1-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Menopause 2007;14:648-55.??

D'Anna R, Cannata ML, Marini H, Atteritano M, Cancellieri F, Corrado F, Triolo O, Rizzo P, Russo S, Gaudio A, Frisina N, Bitto A, Polito F, Minutoli L, Altavilla D, Adamo EB, Squadrito F. Effects of the phytoestrogen genistein on hot flushes, endometrium, and vaginal epithelium in postmenopausal women: a 2-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Menopause 2009;16:301-6.

Albertazzi P, Steel SA, Bottazzi M. Effect of pure genistein on bone markers and hot flushes. Climacteric 2005;8:371-9.

Elliott J, ?Evans M,? Sharma P, Berman B, Guthrie N. Genistein reduces the number and duration of hot flashes in peri/post menopausal women in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial. Experimental Biology 2009, L8471, 4/09.

Eating Foods That Contain Estrogen, Primarily Soy, May Reduce Menopausal Symptoms

Scientific research concerning plant foods that contain estrogen (referred to as phytoestrogens) is still in the preliminary stages. Most research concerning estrogens and red clover isoflavones (a type of phytoestrogen) has been performed using laboratory animals. As with hormone replacement therapy, plant foods that contain estrogen are the subjects of much research and some debate in the scientific community. Here we look at some of the most recent research, on both sides of the debate.

Red clover is a plant that grows throughout the world. It was a food source for humans, at one time, but is primarily grown today to feed livestock. It has many uses in herbal medicine, including the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, eczema, sores, mouth ulcers and sore throats. Isoflavones, a type of plant estrogen or phytoestrogen, isolated from red clover are included in many natural remedies for menopausal symptoms.

Scientific research concerning plant estrogens and red clover is in the preliminary stages. The School of Pharmacy in Messina, Italy recently published two separate studies concerning estrogens and red clover. In both, laboratory animals were studied for the effects of decreased estrogen production after removal of the ovaries, in order to mimic the effects of menopause.

The first focused on osteoporosis, which is bone loss that is often found in menopausal and postmenopausal women. The study found that animals that were fed red clover had less bone loss than animals that ate their normal diet. The researchers' conclusion: "These findings suggest that red clover isoflavones are effective in reducing bone loss."

The second study focused on the skin. Many symptoms may accompany menopause and are believed to be associated with decreased estrogen production. The skin tends to become dryer, thinner, has less moisture and less collagen. These skin problems show up in female lab animals, just like they do in women. In this study the researchers concluded, "These findings suggest that red clover isoflavones are effective in reducing skin aging induced by estrogen deprivation."

Research concerning foods that contain estrogen focuses primarily on soy isoflavones. The health benefits of soy is the subject of some debate, but the majority of the scientific evidence indicates that replacing high fat red meat with soy products is good for the heart, may reduce cholesterol and may prevent some types of cancer. It is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, protein and carbohydrates.

Soy isoflavones have an estrogen-like effect on the body. On the plus side, this means that isoflavones may relieve some of the symptoms that typically accompany menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. On the negative side, some experts fear that isoflavones may increase a woman's chances of developing breast and uterine cancer. These types of cancer are seen more often in women taking hormone replacement or estrogen replacement therapies.

The research results are mixed. One long-term study of Japanese women concluded that women whose diet was high in soy were less likely to develop breast cancer than women who did not eat soy. Of those women eating soy who did develop breast cancer, their survival rate was better. As with most things, genetics apparently plays a role.

Researchers have learned that some women have a genetic predisposition to suffer numerous menopausal symptoms. Likewise, it is clear that certain types of cancer, particularly breast cancer, occur often in some families, but not at all in others. Regretfully, there is no way to predict, with any certainty, how a woman's body will respond to the changes accompanying menopause, nor to adding plant foods that contain estrogen to the diet. The safest advice for women who have a history of breast cancer in themselves or their family is to avoid estrogen in all its forms, until scientific research can give us better guidelines.

Spotting The Early Signs And Symptoms Of Menopause

Before entering the menopausal stage, there are various symptoms that a woman may experience. This transition in a woman's life may be experienced when she reaches 40 years old and above. However, there are cases wherein one may experience it even before the age of 40 and this is due to some reasons.

One of the most common symptoms of an upcoming menopause is the missed menstrual period. This is greatly affected by the hormonal imbalance which causes the ovaries to stop producing eggs to be ovulated during menstrual cycle. Estrogen level drops down during this phase of a woman's life resulting to many unexpected changes.

In the early stage of menopause, a female may experience a heavy bleeding during her period or a light one. She may also experience a very early menstrual period rather than the usual or a very late one. These changes may cause also to the changes of the pre menstrual syndrome and other effects. One may observe some alteration of the regularity of PMS and the like. She may experience severe menstrual cramps and other effects.

Changes in the attitude and severe exhaustion are several of the symptoms as well. Due to the imbalanced hormones and the decreasing count of estrogen in the reproductive system, the emotional condition of a woman could be affected resulting to changes in attitude and lose of temper from time to time. When not alleviated, this condition may get worse. Another indicator of initial menopause is when one begins to feel some warm sparks in her body that may cause soreness of the face. This condition is also a result of the changes in the hormonal count.

A woman will apparently experience serious exhaustion, nervousness, and stress. Menopause may likewise bring a disturbance in sleep and great depression that will consume one's energy. Because estrogen count decreases, one may have a sudden hair growth due to the active testosterone. Other situation brings thinning of hair or hair fall on the other hand. Other symptoms include lack of sleep which could result to insomnia, vaginal dryness, and reduction of sexual drive.

All women will have menopausal symptoms at some stage during their life, the vast majority in their forties or later but some can experience them in their twenties so it is vitally important that the early signs of menopause are recognized so treatment can begin at the earliest opportunity.